Lawrence J. “Larry” Hadfield, Sr.

Lawrence J. “Larry” Hadfield, Sr., of Avon Lake, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2014, at the Hospice of the Western Reserve. He was born to the late Lawrence A. and Mary Hadfield, December 31, 1930 in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Lawrence graduated from Classical High School in Providence, Rhode Island in 1948 and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, from Providence College, with Magna Cum Laude honors, in 1952, and a Juris Doctorate degree, from Boston University School of Law, in 1955. He was admitted to the State of Rhode Island Bar Association, in 1955.

He dutifully served in the United States Army from January 16, 1956 to October 15, 1957, where he was stationed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, working with the Contract Review Agency for the government.

Lawrence was married to Linda Hamann Hadfield in 1999 and they have resided in Avon Lake for the past 15 years. He was previously married to the late Marie Servant.

Lawrence was employed by the United States Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service as an immigration attorney for 40 years, working in Providence, Rhode Island, Boston, Massachusetts and San Antonio, Texas. He retired in 2000. He then was Of Council to the Margaret W. Wong Immigration firm in Cleveland for 10 years.

A true advocate of higher education, he spent years assisting and mentoring many young lawyers in the immigration law profession. Lawrence was a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Mended Hearts Association, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Avon Lake and the AARP Tax Assistance Organization, where he volunteered his time for 14 years, assisting senior citizens in their annual tax preparation.

His personal enjoyment included following Big East college basketball with his best friend and wife, Linda. As a proud grandfather, he loved sharing stories and photographs of his beautiful grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Linda, Lawrence leaves behind four children, Lawrence J. Hadfield, Jr., of Providence, Rhode Island, Mark S. (Rebecca) Hadfield of Town and Country, Missouri, L. Phillip (Terrace) Hadfield of Cranston, Rhode Island, Karen M. (Ron) Pomfret of S. Attleboro, Massachusetts; and two stepsons, Scott W. (Melissa) Hamann of Avon Lake and Jason R. (Penny) Hamann of Redondo Beach, California. He will also be missed by seven grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Family will receive friends from 4 until 8 P.M., Thursday, March 13, 2014, at the Catavolos-Berry Funeral Home, 23040 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 410 Lear Rd., in Avon Lake at 10 A.M., Friday, March 14, 2014. (Please meet at Church) Burial will be at Lakewood Park Cemetery, in Rocky River.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donation be made, in Lawrence’s name, to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193, to support the Brain Tumor/Neuro-oncology Fund. Please make checks payable to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and include the name of Lawrence J. Hadfield in the memo line, on the check.